Two Selma police officers, suspect wounded in gunfire

A law enforcement official is parked in front of a home Friday September 20, 2013 on the 9,000 block of Pinseeker in Selma, Texas where two Selma police officers were allegedly shot shortly after 10:30 p.m. last night while responding to a domestic disturbance call. According to early reports, police were able to return fire at the suspect who also was allegedly shot. The officers and the suspect were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

Photo By John Davenport / San Antonio Express-News

A law officer enters the home in Selma where the shootings took place. The wounded police officers and the suspect all were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment. The suspect's wife, whose back was injured, also was hospitalized.

Within three minutes of getting calls about a man dragging a woman by her hair, kicking and screaming into a house, a Selma police officer walked into the living room and faced a pistol in the hands of Jessie Hernandez Jr., officials said in an arrest warrant affidavit Friday.

Hernandez is accused of shooting one officer in the head and a second officer who came to help in the right leg.

The second officer returned fire, police said, and Hernandez, 33, was hit twice.

When the gunfire erupted Thursday night, Hernandez's wife, two small children, his mother and step-father all were inside the home, officials said.

Hernandez and the officers were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center. Hernandez remained there Friday night, charged by proxy with one count of aggravated assault against a public servant. Bail was set at $30,000, arrest records show.

Selma officials Friday released few details and identified the officers by last name only.

Officer Kierum was the first to enter the house in the 9000 block of Pinseeker, officials said. She has been with the department for 14 months.

Cpl. Balderamas, who was shot in the leg and fired at Hernandez, has been in law enforcement for 16 years, police information indicates.

Ken Roberts, a city administrator for Selma, said the officers were receiving treatment but would not elaborate on their condition.

“When the chief and I left SAMMC at 3 a.m., they were comfortable and getting ready for surgery,” Roberts said Friday.

Hernandez's wife also was hospitalized. Her back was injured when she was dragged into the house, the affidavit states.

When officers arrived at the home at about 10:30 p.m., they talked to the homeowner, Laverne Hernandez, who said she had just gotten home and didn't know what was going on, the document says.

She told them they could come into the house, where Jessie Hernandez Jr. reportedly turned his pistol on them.

A Live Oak police officer helped secure Hernandez after he was injured, the affidavit said.

A benefit fund has been set up and donations can be made out to Selma Police Officers Benefit in care of Judd Earley. The address is American Bank of Texas, 19099 F.M. 2252, Garden Ridge 78266, account Number 2000311873, a Selma website says.

Donations also can be made at any other American Bank of Texas branch locations in Schertz, Seguin, and Bulverde, the site says.